Country Road Walk

Today is Memorial Day. We aren't doing anything special today;our whole family (19) will be heading to Gulf Shores , AL for a week at the beach on Saturday.It has become a tradition that we look forward to.
The painting today has nothing to do with the beach except it is another peaceful place to visit.

SUNNY FLOWERS

Sunflowers are always a favorite; mixed with blue and purple smaller flowers guarantees a winning combination. The jar is a silvery complement to the blooms.Although still technically spring, the 86 degree temp today  means summer in this part of the country!

Apples and Vase

Apples are not that easy to paint.They can end up flat looking unless there is some modeling using light ,medium and dark values. Then you have to throw in the reflections of light on top of the apple and also the reflected light from the surface they are on---a totally different kind  of reflection. Not to mention the shadows. I am exhausted just reading this ! Art is hard work but fun.

Expecting You

I don't really like to paint whole houses. I remember painting some for people when I was in my "single mom" days. I also painted a 57 chevy for the body shop guy in lieu of deductible for insurance when I had a car accident.You do what you have to!
 But I do like to paint portions of a house; such as a window, porch or an entry way with  a door like this one.That way I am not stressing out about perfection of perspective drawing and no rulers are involved. I really do hate to measure things.I like the intimacy of the close up view.

The Boys

I found this old photo at a shop in Nashville. I am captivated with this old photo. Are they brothers,cousins or schoolmates? I do know that I am going to use this for a painting sometime soon.

Inside the Conservatory

The month of May is a glorious time at Longwood Gardens near Kennett Square, PA. To say the gardens are world class is an understatement. We lived 2 miles from there for 9 years and I could go everyday and find something new. This watercolor painting is a view looking into one of the rooms in the conservatory.

Oops!ll

note to self-- don't try to post on a blog while riding in a car! I posted yesterday and it was full of spelling errors. I apologize and want to say it won't happen again. After all, I did win the Brandon Elementary Spelling bee in the 6th grade!

Note Cards

A lot of people have asked for me to make my printed note cards available. I had previously only had enough to put as an extra when shipping paintings sold. They are now available on my gallery page at the top under my name..
 They come as 5 assorted with envelopes or as 5 of one kind. The price is $13 plus free shipping n the U.S. Now I am finished with the uncomfortable part of self promotion-- the part I hate most!

Studio time

This is my "studio". It is a small extra bedroom that I am able to use full time.my son made the ledges on the wall where I can put recent paintings to dry. A friend built a beautiful large studio onto her home a few years ago. It is the perfect light filled, spacious space with plenty of storage and a comfy seating area.I admit I had studio envy but realize my space is just fine. I will be content with what I have; at least until I win the lottery!

One Love

I particularly like blue hydrangeas paired with aqua colored glass. I think it is the analogous(neighboring)color scheme is so pleasing to the eye. This glass was a little translucent so it  makes the painting much more interesting. I don't collect many things but I have acquired several colored glass bottles and vases to use with cut flowers.

Tulip Dance

I recently took an online Dreama Tolle Perry workshop. One thing that she teaches is to put all the color down, then use a Kemper tool to redefine the shapes and then comlete the painting. The pictures below are examples of this process.

Beauty Pageant

My absolute worst nightmare was me participating in a beauty pageant. I woke up from the dream in a cold sweat!Although it was never for me, these flowers apparently love it. They seem to preen at all of the attention showered on them. I am just glad to be behind the scenes!

Blue Book

Having six children who are now in adulthood has given us experience with buying multiple cars. Our youngest daughter has a car that has reached the 97,00 mile mark. We have recommended that she sell it and buy another car. A car that old is always a gamble and she drives around 50 miles a day to her art teaching job. To get the best price for her old car, it is a good idea to look up its "blue book value". When I was thinking of a title for these flowers,blue book seemed appropriate since blue appears to be the color of the day here!

Moments

Although I enjoy painting very colorful  paintings; often a limited palette calls my name. White flowers are surprisingly full of color, the least of which is white. The bottles are transparent but also contain a lot of color caused by the light shining through.It would seem observation is just as important as brush and paint.